Bio Thought Questions, Essay Example

Sherrington’s experiments illustrated that reflex strength cannot be measuring directly, but could be estimated through the intensity of the stimulus required to elicit a reflex or response. The weaker or more different from optimal the stimulus I and the more rapid the response, the stronger the reflex will be.

In the experiment with the dog and pinched leg, it would be expected that the brain inhibit the motor neuron to modify the reflexes in order for the right leg to extend when the left leg is pinched and raised.

The stimulation of X might produce excitation in Z through inhibition.  It is possible to cause excitation in Z because the action potential is blocked in Y and the excitation is essentially suppressed from Y; however, since it is connected to Z and not suppressed from Z, the action potential can occur at Z.

In order to test if the impulses are being created in axon B after stimulation from axon A are part of the same axon or a different axon.  Stimulation in axon A can be increased to reach a threshold to which no response should occur and then axon B stimulated in order to see if an action potential is created.  If so, the axon is separate from axon A and not an extension.

People who take methylphenidate or Ritalin report that they feel a decrease in alertness and arousal a few hours after taking the medication.  This is due to the mechanism of negative feedback, which is a mechanism in the nervous system that detects the amount of transmitters or drugs released and inhibits further synthesis and release after it reaches a certain level.

Gambling addiction could result in similar effects.  Possibly the release of adrenaline could be tested in order to find out if an individual releases adrenaline while gambling and at a certain point reaches a threshold level and does not feel the adrenaline rush to gamble anymore.